Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF), previously known as nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy (NFD) was first described in the medical literature in 2000, with the first reported case going back to 1997. The disease is seen only in patients that have dialysis-requiring renal failure or significantly impaired renal function, and causes fibrosis of the skin and connective tissues throughout the body.The etiology of NSF is still unknown but is likely to be multifaceted. Specific risk factors under scientific evaluation have included surgery, thrombosis, or other vascular injury; a pro-inflammatory state; the administration of high doses of erythropoietin; and more recently, the use of gadolinium-based contrast agents.
Source: http://www.imaging.bayerhealthcare.com/html/magnevist/nsf_nfd.html?WT.mc_id=berleximaging.com
